KINGSTON, R.I. -
The Providence College women's basketball team defeated Rhode Island, 54-51, on December 21 in Kingston, R.I. Freshman Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) scored a team-high 13 points and added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Friars. Junior Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) registered her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.

Providence out-scored the Rams 8-2 in the final 2:34 of the first half to take a 33-26 lead into halftime. Beal led the Friars with eight points and five assists, while the three freshmen combined to score 21 of the Friars' 33 points. Aliyah Miller (Southaven, Miss.) and Miranda Simpson (Round Rock, Texas) scored seven and six points, respectively.

In the second half, Providence led by as many as 11 points (37-26) with 17:07 remaining in the game. The Rams fought to get within one point (52-51) with 10 seconds left, punctuated by a three-point bucket by Kerry Wallack.

Junior Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) went to the line with six seconds left and hit both free throws to put Providence ahead, 54-51. The Rams then committed a back-court violation, which gave possession back to the Friars with one second left.

The Rams were led by Tayra Melendez, who scored a game-high 18 points. Wallack and Samantha Tabakman netted 10 points each.

Today's game will be televised via tape delay on Cox Sports (Cox Channel 5 and 1005) and will air on December 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Providence returns to action on Sunday, December 29 against Boston College. Tip-off is slated for 3:02 p.m. at Alumni Hall / Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I. The game will be nationally televised on FOX Sports 1.